Method of making adhesive tape with non-skid backing



C. F. SCHOLL METHOD OF MAKING ADHESIVE TAPE WITH NON-SKID BA CKING Filed May 28, 1952 'I'I'II'II'IAII'J-IJIIJIA n v E E United States Patent METHOD OF MAKING ADHESIVE TAPE WITH NON-SKID BACKING Charles F. Scholl, Chicago, Ill., assignor to The Scholl Mfg. Co., Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of New York Application May 28, 1952, Serial No. 290,403

3 Claims. (Cl. 117-10) This invention relates to improvements in an adhesive material with a non-skid back and to a method of making the same, and more particularly to an adhesive tape or the like having a back or outer surface of a friction inducing character to exert a friction grip upon objects in contact therewith and eliminate slipping of the object thereover, the invention being usable with or without an adhesive coating on the opposite surface, although the invention may have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In the past, many and various types of tapes or sheet materials having surfaces providing a frictional holding action with whatever comes in contact with the tape or material, and many and various types of pads for disposition beneath articles on the surfaces of desks, tables or the like, or for attachment to the bottom of articles to prevent slipping of the article and marring of furniture, have been provided. However, in most instances, these articles were not as simple and economical to manufacture as is desired, and were not as long lived as desired, in that the friction surface would lose its quality in a short time, especially by contact with dirt, dust and the human hands. Adhesive tapes of this general character have been used heretofore on various sport implements, such as baseball bats, golf clubs, and the like, and were effective throughout a relatively short period. Further, many of these formerly known devices did not provide the positive and yet slightly yielding holding action desired.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instant invention to provide an adhesive tape having a relatively rough surfaced rubber like backing.

Also an object of this invention is the provision of an adhesive sheet or tape including a fabric having an adhesive coating on one side, and a friction inducing rubberlike backing on the other side which is both impregnated at least partially through the fabric and extends outside the fabric.

Also a feature of this invention is the provision of an adhesive tape or sheet comprising a strip of fabric having an adhesive coating on one side, and a friction inducing latex covering on the opposite side which is impregnated in and cured on the fabric.

Also a feature of this invention is the provision of a tape having an adhesive surface on one side, and a relatively rough rubber-like friction surface on the opposite side, but which may be rolled for packaging and storage, and wherein the adhesive does not interfere with the effectiveness of the friction surface.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a new and novel method of making a sheet 'or tape of the character set forth herein.

Still a further desideratum of the instant invention is the provision of a composite material comprising a sheet of fabric, with a rubber-like friction surface on one side, as well as a new and novel method of making such composite material.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics "ice and advantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, greatly enlarged, illustrating a first step'in the method of making the instant invention;

Figure 2 is also a fragmentary vertical sectional view, greatly enlarged, illustrating a further step;

Figure 3 is a view similar in character to Figs. 1 and 2, but indicating a later step in the making of the invention;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary considerably magnified sectional view to indicate the impregnation of the fabric by the friction surfacing material;

Figure 5 is another greatly enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating the finished product;

Figure 6 is a plan view with surface portions broken away of the structure of Fig. 5; and

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic View illustrating the rolling of the finished tape or sheet.

As shown on the drawings:

For purposes of clarity, the illustrated embodiment of the instant invention will be described by way of the method of making it. Referringnow to Fig. 1, there is shown a sheet or strip of fabric 1, and over one surface of this fabric a covering of substantially liquid latex 2 is provided. While this latex is in its substantially liquid state, it impregnates itself into the fabric, and to an extent at least partially therethrough as somewhat diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 4.

After the application of the substantially liquid latex covering 2, another covering is disposed over the latex. This covering is indicated at 3, and if so desired, for expeditious manufacture, may be a fabric identical with the fabric 1. That is the case when two sheets or strips of composite material are manufactured conjointly. But the covering may be of other material or substance in the event only one sheet is desired to be manufactured at a time. However, this latter procedure results in considerable wastage, and the first procedure of manufacturing two composite sheets at the same time is far more economical.

After the covering of the substantially liquid latex 2, the latex is partially cured. The fabric layers 1 and 3 are then separated, and this can be done by merely pulling them apart as indicated in the right hand portion of Fig. 3. The pulling apart of the fabric layers will substantially divide the latex 2, leaving approximately half of it adhered to each fabric sheet or strip.

After the separation of the fabric sheets 1 and 3, the latex 2 on each of them is completely cured. The partial curing of the latex prior to the separation of the sheets provides a relatively rough surface of the latex when completely cured, and eliminates any smooth skin effect which would result if the latex was placed substantially in liquid form on one sheet, and completely cured without any covering thereover. Thus, the partial curing, then separation of the sheets, and then completing the curing operation, results in a very fine friction surface that is. slightly resilient.

The process may be stopped at that point in the event only a composite material having a friction surface on one side is desired. However, if the sheet is to be adhesive in the character of adhesive tape, then an adhesive coating may be applied to the opposite side of the fabric sheet as indicated at 4 in Figs. 4 and 5. In most cases, the adhesive would be of the pressure sensitive variety, which adheres upon contact with the surface, although adhesive that requires moistening before application might also be utilized.

In Fig. 7 I have indicated a roll 5 of finished tape of the character shown in Figs. 5 and 6, this figure being merely to illustrate the fact that the finished product can be provided in roll form if so desired. It will be understood, however, that the finished product may be provided in strip or sheet form of substantially any desirable size and shape on slick temporary backing members, depending upon the purpose to which it is to be put in use.

Herein, where the term latex is used, the same is to be construed to include both natural and synthetic rubber, as well as equivalent material.

The present invention has numerous uses, such as taping sport implements of the character of baseball bats, golf clubs, tennis racket handles, for application to a surface upon which an article is to rest to prevent slipping of the article, or for application to the bottoms of articles to prevent marring furniture and the like. The invention also finds use in the apparel art, in that a strip of the friction surface tape may be applied to the inside of the waistband of trousers and skirts, and the friction surface will be effective in holding shirts, blouses, and the like, neatly and in proper position within the skirt or trousers. Applications of the friction tape to footwear to prevent slipping of the heel of the shoe are also satisfactory. In short, there are many and varied uses and purposes for material of this character.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. The method of making an adhesive tape with a nonskid back, including the steps of covering a sheet of fabric with substantially liquid latex, placing another sheet of similar fabric over the applied latex, partially curing the latex, separating the fabric sheets with partially cured latex on each, completely curing the latex on each sheet, and covering the opposite face of each sheet with an adhesive.

2. The method of making an adhesive tape with a nonskid back, including the steps of covering a sheet of fabric with substantially liquid latex, covering the applied latex with a material adapted to bondingly adhere thereto, partially curing the latex, pulling off the cover with partially cured relatively rough surfaced latex on both the cover and the fabric sheet, completing the curing of the relatively rough surfaced latex on the fabric, and covering the opposite face of the fabric with an adhesive.

3. The method of conjointly making a pair of composite sheets having non-skid surfaces, including the steps of coating a fabric sheet with uncured latex, placing another and similar fabric sheet over the applied latex, partially curing the latex, separating the fabric sheets with partially cured relatively rough surfaced latex on each, and completing the curing of the latex on each fabric sheet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 471,611 Hochman Mar. 29, 1892 1,267,785 Masland May 28, 1918 1,953,901 Ziegler Apr. 3, 1934 1,963,058 Wilshire June 12, 1934 2,012,240 Cogno Aug. 20, 1935 2,042,692 Wurzburg June 2, 1936 2,253,922 Van Cleef Aug. 26, 1941 2,477,196 Mohr July 26, 1949 2,495,008 Keaton Jan. 17, 1950 2,561,064 Ness July 17, 1951 

1. THE METHOD OF MAKING AN ADHESIVE TAPE WITH A NONSKID BACK, INCLUDING THE STEPS OF COVERING A SHEET OF FABRIC WITH SUBSTANTIALLY LIQUID LATEX, PLACING ANOTHER SHEET OF SIMILAR FABRIC OVER THE APPLIED LATEX, PARTIALLY CURING THE LATEX, SEPARATING THE FABRIC SHEETS WITH PARTIALLY CURED LATEX ON EACH, COMPLETELY CURING THE LATEX ON EACH SHEET, AND COVERING THE OPPOSITE FACE OF EACH SHEET WITH AN ADHESIVE. 